Gary Johnson is hoping his players will be inspired by another terrific atmosphere under the lights at Ashton Gate against Birmingham City.

The City boss is a big fan of night matches at the club's home stadium and with a near full house anticipated tonight, Gary is really looking forward to the crunch Coca-Cola Championship encounter.

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Speaking on Bristol City World, Gary revealed: "When the fixture list came out this is one of the first fixtures I looked out for.

"It's always a theatre-type atmosphere at Ashton Gate for night games under the floodlights and I really enjoy the evening games.

"It's going to be a big crowd and we always create a wonderful atmosphere on night matches, although the atmosphere is good on weekends too.

"However, it's that little bit more special on night games and the players seem to respond to that. They'll need to respond against Birmingham because it's going to be an important game."

Birmingham are currently second in the table, four points ahead of City in fifth - although both teams go into this evening's match unbeaten.

He continued: "A defeat would leave us seven points behind them, which would leave us 40 games to pull the gap back.

"In the Championship there aren't any games that offer an easy three points and it's hard to put a good run together.

"We won't fret over it and if the wrong result happens we'll say there's plenty of games left; but if we win tonight then we'll say the game (with Birmingham) was must-win!"

Brian Wilson (shin) is expected to be unavailable and Gavin Williams is poised to deputise.